Michigan State vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Oakland based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 15,768 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Oakland University 17:1.

Michigan State vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Oakland? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Oakland University than Michigan State ($12,208 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 13% lower than at Michigan State University ($10,932 vs. $12,564).
• Michigan State University is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $1,196 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.1% higher at Michigan State than at Oakland University (about $20,654 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oakland University than at Michigan State University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($12,988 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or Oakland? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Oakland and Michigan State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 140 points higher than at Oakland (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Oakland - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

Michigan State vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Oakland? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $484 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Oakland graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.